>> That is, would it be possible for the 1D Mark II and 1Ds Mark II to be created without the large battery pack...

I assume it can be done but don't forget that these cameras are designed for pros and pro usage. I do not think there is a demand from pros for this. I think (I am not a pro) that they'd rather have the long battery life and easy switch to vertical over the lighter weight. If there was such a demand, I'm sure both Canon and Nikon would manufacture it.

Personally, I kind of like the size of my 1D, and although the weight helps counterbalance the heavier lenses, I still wouldn't mind having a few ounces shaved off, especially when I have a lighter lens attached. The easiest thing that comes to mind that Canon could do to shave a few ounces off is to use a lithium ion battery instead of a NiMH.

Without knowing how many Canon reps are regularly in this forum, I thought I'd step out and ask a question that I believe many of us would be interested in. That is, would it be possible for the 1D Mark II and 1Ds Mark II to be created without the large battery pack... Obviously in exchange for a smaller one like is found on the 20D??? My reason for asking is that it would be nice to have the features and quality of either of these two cameras in a smaller, and therefore lighter body. Power consumption might prevent such, but it sure would be less to throw over one's shoulder when wanting to work with two bodies. Those of you who are reading this, would you like a similar thing?

I know what you mean. I'd love to have a 12 MP camera as compact as, say, a F100.

If the rumours cirulcating on the web are true, there might be hope just around the corner both on the Canon and Nikon sides.

- Canon is said to release after summer a high spec APS sensor body. The rumour was speaking about 12 MP in a more compact body,- Nikon is said to release the replacement of the D100 in a similar time frame, and insitant rumours is saying that it might be based on the same sensor as the D2X. Nikon did it in the past with the F100 that was marketed as a F5 junior. I wouldn't be too surprised if the followed the same approach with the D200.

Future will tell, but I believe that the major brand have been working on such toys for quite some time now.

I agree but would like to have the option to use a batery grip. I find the 20D too small from me without the grip, a 350D is next to useless, again the subject of a digital Eos 3 is what I would really love, it fits nicely in my hand and with the optional battery grip I get more juice if needed or a smaller less intimidating body when necessary.

It looks like such a camera would be a welcome addition. The F5/F100 duo is a good example. Of course they both take the same film size, and I don't know how much of the weight/size of the digital beasts is actually a necessity from all the electronics and stuff like that.

For instance, these days I use the EOS 1V with the battery pack, not the booster. I don't need the extra shooting rate, and it makes the whole thing a lot lighter.

Would it be possible to have a full-frame DSLR with the spces of, say, an Elan 7/30V? Is the size and weight a function of the size/electronic requiremetns of the full-frame 35mm sensor?

Most enthusiast/amateur photographers, like myself, would be, and are, probably quite happy with the results provided by smaller sensor DSLRs. Say if you print only up to A4 or A3 size, and don't crop a lot after the shot, then you don't need full-frame.

Been using a 1Ds for 8 months now (moved from a 10D) and I really don't notice the weight/size anymore. I now find it reassuring! I also have fairly big hands.

The bombproof nature of these things means I can take it sea kayaking, climbing, walking and just literally throw it in a rucksack without any case etc and not have to worry about it. They just suck it up.

Allthough, if you did need a second body I can undersatnd the desire to have a smaller one!

I've been using the 1D2 and the 1Ds2 for a quite a while and I guess I've grown not to think much about their weight any more. I do, however, vividly recall my first "Ugh!" when I just started using the 1D camera so I understand your reaction.

In fact, the majority of the weight of these bodies is in their battery packs. Electronic engineering has found the search for high-capacity, lightweight, rechargeable and AFFORDABLE batteries to be an elusive goal. Yes, much progress has been made. But we still seem to be in the Flintstones era of battery technology. It's not an issue that a camera manufacturer such as Canon will likely solve.

Although I am not a Canon user, I find this request to be very much in place. I use Nikon gear and would love to have access of to the functions and quality of the D2X gear. Being handicapped as a result of an accident prevents me from lugging around large cameras. This leaves me in quite predicament, on one hand I would love the higher-quality image that, with the top models in each line respectively while on the other I don't want to do myself further physical harm. This kind of leads me into a Catch-22.

For the meantime I'm continuing to use slide film until the following two things happen:1. Because of my love for projected images I am waiting for a high-quality digital projector that can rival projected slide film.2. Because of the formally stated arguments I am waiting for a light weight high-quality digital camera. This will greatly improve my workflow and allow me to venture into new fields where I can market my work.

I assume it can be done but don't forget that these cameras are designed for pros and pro usage. I do not think there is a demand from pros for this. I think (I am not a pro) that they'd rather have the long battery life and easy switch to vertical over the lighter weight. If there was such a demand, I'm sure both Canon and Nikon would manufacture it.

Hi there,

Isn't it exactly what Nikon had done in a big way with the F100? I would think that the overwhelmingly positive reponse they got back then is a clear sign that many pros and high end amateurs have such needs.

Whether it can technically be done today with a DSLR considering the electrical needs ot digital sensor is an important point, but looking at the battery pack of a D2X, you cannot help but feeling that it wouldn't take much to be able to locate it inside the hand grip of a body...

Personally, I'd loooove to see the D2X's sensor in a body the size & weight of my D70. I can walk around with my D70 with kit lens in my (rather small!) hand for quite some time while hardly noticing it, which I like to do when I'm shooting frequently (to avoid the time and annoyance of wrestling the camera in & out of the camera bag constantly). I tried hefting the D2X, and no way could I do that with it.

Nikon, if you put the D2X's sensor in a D70-size body (and weaken the anti-IR filter to D70 levels so I can continue to take ersatz near-IR photos), I'd buy it in a minute, even at near-D2X prices. I'll wait and see what the D100's successor turns out to be...